James Anderson insists his focus is solely on England's series decider against Windies

James Anderson insists he won't be distracted by personal landmarks during the upcoming series decider against the Windies.

The 35-year-old is only three wickets away from 500 Test dismissals - a feat which just two other seam bowlers have managed to achieve in history - Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh.

Anderson could reach the landmark in the third and final Test against the Windies, which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday - live on Sky Sports Cricket.

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However, the Lancashire bowler insists his only focus is on securing a series victory for England after their shock defeat at Headingley earlier this month.

"The fact that I've played long enough to get this close to 500 is something that I'm very proud of but, to be honest, I do try to put that to the back of my mind," he said.

"I've got a job to do this week - we desperately need to win this Test match to win the series. So I'm going to be focused completely on doing my job for the team when we get out there on Thursday."

After losing the opening Test at Edgbaston by an innings and 209 runs, the Windies fought back to level the series 1-1 with a remarkable five-wicket win at Headingley.

Joe Root elected to declare midway through his side's second innings at Leeds but Anderson insists England did not underestimate the Windies.

"Certainly not, no," said Anderson. "It's always difficult with a declaration because you're trying to make sure you've got enough runs on the board while at the same time give yourself enough time to bowl them out.

"We knew it was a slow pitch. We knew it was going to take a number of overs to take 10 wickets on that wicket. It's just trying to find that balance.

"As bowlers we were confident that we could bowl them out but all credit to the West Indies. I thought that they played fantastically well that last day."